Admissions & Fees

Admissions

Waiting List Form:

https://bit.ly/cygnetswaitlist

We intend to make Cygnets Preschool inclusive to as many children (between the ages of two and four, right up to Reception year) and families from all sections of the local community as possible. We aim to ensure that all sections of our community have access to the Preschool through open, fair and clearly communicated procedures. Everyone is valued and treated fairly and equally, and to achieve this aim, we operate the following admission policy:

  • Places will be offered in line with our admissions policy, and if a place becomes available for your child, you will be contacted directly. We ensure that the existence of our Preschool is advertised in places accessible to all sections of our community.

  • We ensure that information about our Preschool is accessible – in written and spoken form – and, where possible, in different languages, in braille or through BSL or an interpreter.

  • It is our policy to offer a place and admit a child during the term after they reach the age of 2 years.

  • Our main intake is in September, and also in January, and April, if places are available.

  • A parent/carer may defer the start until a time suitable for them and their child. It is not guaranteed that a space will be available.

We treat each child and their family fairly, regardless of their gender, age, additional educational needs, disabilities, background, religion, and ethnicity or with English being a newly acquired additional language, equally and fairly

  • Cygnets Preschool enables children and/or parents/carers with disabilities to take part in the life of the setting

  • We monitor the gender and ethnic background of children joining the setting to ensure that our intake is representative of social economic status

  • We make our Equal Opportunities/Equality and Diversity Policy readily available

  • We are flexible about attendance patterns to accommodate the needs of individual children and families; and we adhere to our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy and if a child comes into the setting with any injury, however small e.g., a bump, bruise, mark etc., we will record it and ask them how it happened and liaise with parent/carer if appropriate

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Fees from April 2026

Cygnets is a non-profit making charity and is therefore entirely dependent upon income from fees, fundraising and donations.

  • Standard Hourly Rate - £9.50 per hour
    £28.50 per am or pm 3-hour session, and £61.75 per day

  • Our Session Times 

    • Morning session: 8:45am – 11:45am
      (Drop‑off between 8:45am and 9:00am)

    • Afternoon session: 12:15pm – 3:15pm
      (Collection between 3:00pm and 3:15pm)

    We warmly welcome children from the term after they turn two years old.

    Preschool Sessions

    Cygnets Preschool provides a happy, nurturing environment for children aged two to four years, helping them to grow in confidence and independence as they begin to spend short periods of time away from their parents or carers.

    We offer flexible session options to suit family needs:

    • Morning session: 8:45am – 11:45am

    • Afternoon session: 12:15pm – 3:15pm

    • Full day: 8:45am – 3:15pm

    To support children in settling and making the most of their preschool experience, we recommend a minimum of three sessions per week.

    Children attending a full‑day session will need to bring a packed lunch.

    Funded Entitlement Sessions

    • 15‑hour funded children can attend either a morning or an afternoon session, accessing 3 hours per day. If parents would like their child to attend further sessions, these can be added as an extended session, charged at our standard hourly rate.

    • 30‑hour funded children may attend:

      • Monday to Thursday: 8:45am – 3:15pm

      • Friday: 8:45am – 12:45pm

    If parents would like their child to attend on Friday afternoon, this can be added as an extended session, charged at our standard hourly rate.

    Enrichment and Extra Activities

    We offer a range of optional extra‑curricular activities to enrich children’s experiences at preschool. To support these, we ask for a voluntary contribution of 50p per hour.

    These activities may include:

    • Animal encounters

    • Rearing chicks

    • Easter and Christmas activities

    • Graduation celebrations

    • Sing and Sign sessions

    • Stay and Play 

    Participation in these activities is entirely optional.

  • Government Funding and Fees

    All children are entitled to up to 15 hours (per week) of funded childcare from the TERM AFTER they turn 3 years old. Any non-funded hours will be charged at our standard hourly rate.

  • We can accept all forms of childcare vouchers and are registered for Tax Free Childcare.

  • If you are working, you may be entitled to the Government’s 15 or 30-hour entitlement for working parents.  For more information on the funding options available or to apply for the 30 hours extended entitlement, please visit www.beststartinlife.gov.uk.